Oral pouched product having a rectangular shape

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an oral pouched product, such as an oral pouched smokeless tobacco product, which comprises a filling material, such as tobacco material, and a saliva-permeable pouch enclosing the filling material, the product having a rectangular shape with a maximum length and a maximum width, wherein the maximum width of the product is within the range of from 3 mm to 10 mm, the maximum length of the product is within the range of from 25 mm to 40 mm, the ratio of maximum length to maximum width is within the range of from 3 to 6, and the oral pouched product has a weight within the range of from 0.3 to 0.7 g.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an oral pouched product, such as anoral pouched smokeless tobacco product, comprising a filling material,such as tobacco material, and a saliva-permeable pouch enclosing thefilling material.

BACKGROUND

Smokeless tobacco for oral use includes chewing tobacco, dry snuff andmoist (wet) snuff. Generally, dry snuff has a moisture content of lessthan 10 wt % and moist snuff has a moisture content of above 40 wt %.Semi-dry products having between 10% to 40 wt % moisture content arealso available.

Smokeless tobacco products for oral use are made from tobacco leaves,such as lamina and stem of the tobacco leaf. The material from roots andstalks are normally not utilized for production of smokeless tobaccocompositions for oral use.

There are two types of moist snuff, the American type and theScandinavian type which is also called snus. American-type moist snuffis commonly produced through a fermentation process of tobacco.Scandinavian-type moist snuff is commonly produced by using aheat-treatment process (pasteurization). The heat-treatment is carriedout in order to degrade, destroy or denature at least a portion of themicroorganisms in the tobacco preparation.

Both the American-type and the Scandinavian-type of moist snuff for oraluse are available in loose form or portion-packed in a saliva-permeable,porous wrapper material forming a pouch. Pouched moist snuff, includingsnus, is typically used by the user by placing the pouch between theupper or lower gum and the lip or cheek and retaining it there for alimited period of time. The pouch material holds the tobacco in placewhile allowing saliva to pass into the interior of the pouched productand allowing flavours and nicotine to diffuse from the tobacco materialinto the user's mouth.

The pouch material is typically made of a nonwoven fleece (soft fabric)material, such as viscose (regenerated cellulose; viscose fibres areoften referred to as viscose rayon or rayon), including an acrylicpolymer that acts as binder in the nonwoven material and provides forheat-sealing of the pouches during manufacturing thereof. The viscosenonwoven material normally used for pouched smokeless tobacco productsis similar to the fabric used in tea bags. Nonwovens are fabrics thatare neither woven nor knitted. Methods for the manufacturing of nonwovenmaterials are commonly known in the art.

Pouched smokeless tobacco products may be produced by measuring portionsof the smokeless tobacco composition and inserting the portions into anonwoven tube. U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,765 discloses a device for packagingprecise amounts of finely divided tobacco products, such as snufftobacco or the like, in a tubular packaging material into which snuffportions are injected via a fill tube. Downstream from the tube, weldingmeans are positioned for transverse sealing of the packaging material,and also cutting means for severing the packaging material in the areaof the transverse seal to thus form discrete or individual portionpackages. EP 2428450 B1 relates to a snus dosing method, wherein aportion of tobacco is filled into a dosing chamber of a dosing deviceand then blown out of the dosing chamber by means of blow-out air towhich water vapor has been added.

Pouched smokeless tobacco products may alternatively be produced byplacing portions of moist snuff on a nonwoven web using a pouch packermachine in accordance with the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,135,120. This device comprises feeding means for feeding the tobaccomaterial into pockets formed in a rotary portioning wheel for portioningthe material into portions, at least one compression means forcompressing the tobacco material portions, a unit for advancing apackaging material, such as a nonwoven web, in synchrony with thecompressed portions, at least one discharge means for discharging theportions from the pockets to the packaging material, and a forming unitfor forming individual portion packages (i.e. pouched smokeless tobaccoproducts) from the discharged portions and the packaging material. Atthe intended point of discharge of the portions of to the packagingmaterial, said packaging material has the form of a tape, thecompression means being arranged to compress the portions in a directionwhich differs from the discharging and the feeding directions. Thecompression is preferably effected in a direction perpendicular to thedischarging and the feeding directions. The compression may be effectedin the axial direction of the portioning wheel whereas the feeding anddischarging may be effected in the radial direction of said wheel. Thistechnique is herein referred to as the “NYPS” technique.

The individual portions are sealed and cut apart thereby formingrectangular “pillow shaped” (or any other desired form) pouchedproducts. Generally, each final pouched product includes paralleltransverse seams with seals at opposite ends and a longitudinal seamwith a seal orthogonal to the transverse seams/seals. The seals shouldbe of sufficient strength to preserve the integrity of the pouchedproduct during use while not disturbing the user's experience.

The organoleptic properties, such as texture, aroma, taste, shape andappearance, of the pouched smokeless tobacco product are of highimportance to the user.

Oral pouched smokeless tobacco products are normally sized andconfigured to fit comfortably and discreetly in a user's mouth betweenthe upper or lower gum and the lip. In general, oral pouched smokelesstobacco products have a generally rectangular shape. Some typical shapes(length x width) of commercially available oral pouched smokelesstobacco products are, for instance, 35 mm×20 mm, 34/35 mm×14 mm, 33/34mm×18 mm, and 27/28 mm×14 mm. The thickness (“height”) of the pouchedproduct is normally within the range of from 5 to 7 mm. The total weightof commercially available oral pouched smokeless tobacco products aretypically within the range from about 0.3 to about 3.5 g, such as fromabout 0.5 to 1.7 g, per pouched product.

Examples of some present commercially available oral pouched snusproducts are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

For users having a small space between the upper (or lower) gum and theupper (or lower) lip, the oral pouched smokeless tobacco product may bevisible, for instance, when the user smiles. Some users find thisproblematic and undesirable.

Moreover, users having this type of mouth geometry as well as otherusers may experience that the pouched product rubs on the interfacebetween gum and teeth which may cause pain and/or gum recession.

It is generally desirable to provide oral pouched smokeless tobaccoproducts with rapid release of flavour and nicotine to reduce nicotinecraving and give an initial strong flavour experience. In particular,previous smokers which are used to quick nicotine stimulation fromcigarettes desire oral pouched smokeless tobacco products with rapidnicotine release.

As mentioned above, saliva passes into the interior of the pouchedproduct and allows flavours and nicotine to diffuse from the tobaccomaterial into the user's mouth.

The user's experience may be affected by the initial moisture content ofthe pouched product when put in the user's mouth and the saliva uptake(rate of uptake and amount of saliva taken up) by the pouched product.

Oral pouched smokeless tobacco products may be post-moisturized afterpouch formation or not post-moisturized after pouch formation whichherein is referred to as non-post-moisturized. Post-moisturized pouchedproducts may be produced by spraying water on the pouched smokelesstobacco product before packaging the pouched products in cans.Post-moisturized pouches are sometimes referred to as “original snus”.Non-post-moisturized pouched products are sometimes referred to as“white snus” and are by some users considered to have a more appealingappearance. The moisture content of the final oral pouched smokelesstobacco product comprising moist or semi-dry snuff is normally withinthe range of from 25 to 55% w/w based on the weight of the pouchedproduct (i.e. the total weight of snuff and pouch material).

Saliva is secreted by major and minor salivary glands located in theoral cavity. The major salivary glands are the parotid glands, thesubmandibular glands and the sublingual glands. There are also about 800to 1000 minor salivary glands located in the mucosa throughout the oralcavity, such as in the tissue of the buccal and labial mucosa.

When the oral pouched smokeless tobacco product has initial highmoisture content and/or a large amount of saliva is taken up by thepouched product, the user may experience that the pouched productbecomes too runny (flowing) even though the taste may be satisfactory.Thus, the user may experience an unpleasant excessive amount ofsaliva/water in the mouth when the pouched product has been used by theuser a period of time, such as after about 15-40 minutes.

Thus, there is a need for an improved oral pouched smokeless tobaccoproduct providing a satisfactory taste experience and nicotine releaseand configured to fit comfortably and discreetly in a user's mouthirrespective of the user's mouth geometry while avoiding the feeling ofrunniness upon use by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to alleviate one or more of theproblems discussed above, and to provide advantages and aspects notprovided by hitherto known oral pouched products, in particular oralpouched smokeless tobacco products.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an oral pouched productcomprising a filling material and a saliva-permeable pouch enclosing thefilling material, the product having a rectangular shape with a maximumlength and a maximum width, wherein the maximum width of the product iswithin the range of from 3 to 10 mm, the maximum length of the productis within the range of from 25 mm to 40 mm, the ratio of maximum lengthto maximum width is within the range of from 3 to 12, and the oralpouched product has a (total) weight within the range of from 0.3 g to0.7 g.

It is believed that the comparatively narrow width and the specifiedlength-to-width ratio of the oral pouched product as disclosed herein,such as the oral pouched smokeless tobacco product as disclosed herein,may mitigate pressure on the gum/teeth interface upon use of the oralpouched product, thereby reducing the risk for uncomfortable rubbing andgum recession.

The oral pouched product as disclosed herein may fit discreetly andcomfortably also in the mouth of users having a small space between theupper (or lower) gum and the upper (or lower) lip.

The oral pouched product as disclosed herein may also be more prone tostay in place in the mouth upon usage thereof.

As disclosed herein, the oral pouched product may be an oral pouchedsmokeless tobacco product and the filling material may then comprisetobacco material.

As disclosed herein, the oral pouched product may be anon-post-moisturized oral pouched smokeless tobacco product.

As disclosed herein, the oral pouched product may be anon-post-moisturized oral pouched smokeless tobacco product havingmoisture content within the range of from 45 to 55% w/w, such as withinthe range of from 50 to 53% w/w, based on the total weight of theproduct. This oral pouched smokeless tobacco product provides asatisfactory taste experience while avoiding the feeling of runninessupon use by the user. The oral pouched smokeless tobacco product hasalso been found to provide a satisfactory perceived nicotine delivery.

As disclosed herein, the oral pouched product may be anon-post-moisturized oral pouched smokeless tobacco product havingmoisture content within the range of from 45 to 55% w/w, such as withinthe range of from 50 to 53% w/w, based on the total weight of theproduct and the pouch may contain a longitudinal fin seam extendingalong the length of the product, said longitudinal seam having a widthwithin the range of from 0.5 mm to 2 mm, such as from 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

As disclosed herein, the oral pouched product may be anon-post-moisturized oral pouched smokeless tobacco product havingmoisture content within the range of from 45 to 55% w/w, such as withinthe range of from 50 to 53% w/w, based on the total weight of theproduct and the pouch may contain at least one transverse fin seamextending along the width of the product, said at least one transverseseam having a width within the range of from 0.5 mm to 2mm, such as from0.5 mm to 1 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b show an embodiment of the oral pouched product asdisclosed herein and how to determine the length (L), width (W) andthickness (T) thereof. As shown in FIG. 1a , the length (L) of the oralpouched product as disclosed herein is the maximum length of the oralpouched product and the width (W) of the oral pouched product asdisclosed herein is the maximum width of the oral pouched product.

FIG. 2a illustrates a lap seal, FIG. 2b illustrates a fin seam and FIG.2c illustrates a combined fin-and-lap seal.

FIG. 3a illustrates where to cut the product in order to measure thetransverse waist circumference. FIG. 3b illustrates where to cut theproduct in order to measure the longitudinal circumference.

FIG. 4 illustrates the sensory characteristics experienced by a panel ofusers when using oral pouched smokeless tobacco products with varyinglength-to-width ratios.

FIG. 5 illustrates the maximum length and the maximum width of thecommercially available pouched snus product “LaB 02” (prior art).

FIG. 6 illustrates the maximum length and the maximum width of thecommercially available pouched snus product “Camel Frost” (prior art).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

By “tobacco” is meant any part, e.g., leaves, stems, and stalks, of anymember of the genus Nicotiana. The tobacco may be whole, shredded,threshed, cut, ground, cured, aged, fermented, or treated otherwise,e.g., granulated or encapsulated.

The term “tobacco material” is used herein for tobacco leaves or partsof leaves, such as lamina and stem. The leaves and parts of leaves maybe finely divided (disintegrated), such as ground, cut, shredded orthreshed, and the parts of leaves may be blended in defined proportionsin the tobacco material.

“Oral” and “oral use” is in all contexts used herein as a descriptionfor use in the oral cavity of a human, such as buccal placement.

The terms “oral pouched products” and “oral pouched snuff products” asused herein include oral pouched non-tobacco snuff products, which maybe nicotine-containing or nicotine-free, as well as oral pouchedtobacco-containing snuff products (also called oral pouched smokelesstobacco products).

As used herein the terms “pouched snuff product for oral use” or “oralpouched snuff product” refer to a portion of smokeless tobacco ortobacco-free filling material, which may be nicotine-containing ornicotine-free as described herein, packed in a saliva-permeable pouchmaterial intended for oral use.

As used herein “pouched smokeless tobacco product for oral use” or “oralpouched smokeless tobacco product” refers to a portion of smokelesstobacco packed in a saliva-permeable pouch material intended for oraluse.

As used herein, the term “moisture content” refers to the total amountof oven volatile ingredients, such as water and other oven volatiles(e.g. propylene glycol) in the preparation, composition or productreferred to. The moisture content is given herein as percent by weight(wt %) of the total weight of the preparation, composition or productreferred to.

The moisture content as referred to herein may be determined by using amethod based on literature references Federal Register/ vol.74, no.4/712-719/Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009/Notices “Total moisture determination”and AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemics), Official Methodsof Analysis 966.02: “Moisture in Tobacco” (1990), Fifth Edition, K.Helrich (ed). In this method, the moisture content is determinedgravimetrically by taking 2.5±0.25 g sample and weighing the samplebefore evaporation of moisture and after completion of dehydration.Mettler Toledo's Moisture Analyzer HB43, a balance with halogen heatingtechnology, is used (instead of an oven and a balance as in thementioned literature references) in the experiments described herein.The sample is heated to 105° C. (instead of 99.5±0.5° C. as in thementioned literature references). The measurement is stopped when theweight change is less than 1 mg during a 90 seconds time frame. Themoisture content as weight percent of the sample is then calculatedautomatically by the Moisture Analyzer HB43.

The term “additional ingredient” as used herein denotes substances otherthan tobacco material, salt (e.g. sodium chloride, potassium chloride,magnesium chloride, calcium chloride and any combinations thereof), pHadjuster (e.g. sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassiumcarbonate, sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate) and water.

“Flavour” or “flavouring agent” is used herein for a substance used toinfluence the aroma and/or taste of the smokeless tobacco product,including, but not limited to, essential oils, single flavour compounds,compounded flavourings, and extracts.

As used herein “finely divided” means an average particle size of lessthan 2 mm. The particles of the finely divided tobacco material may besized to pass through a screen of about 10 (US) mesh, i.e. sieve size2.0 mm, or 18 (US) mesh, i.e. sieve size 1.0 mm.

As used herein “% w/w” or “wt %” or “weight %” refers to weight percentof the ingredient referred to of the total weight of the preparation,composition or product referred to.

As used herein, reference to “dry weight percent” refers to weightpercent of the ingredient referred to on the basis of the total weightof dry ingredients, i.e. all ingredients of the preparation, compositionor product referred to excluding moisture content.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an oralpouched (snuff) product comprising a filling material and pouchenclosing the filling material, the product having a rectangular shapewith a maximum length (L) and a maximum width (W), wherein the maximumwidth of the pouch is within the range of from 3 mm to 10 mm, themaximum length of the product is within the range of from 25 mm to 40mm, the ratio of maximum length to maximum width (UW) is within therange of from 3 to 6, and the oral pouched product has a weight withinthe range of from 0.3 g to 0.7 g.

As disclosed herein, the oral pouched product may be an oral pouchedsmokeless tobacco product and the filling material may then comprisetobacco material, in particular tobacco material in the form of moistsnuff or snus.

However, the oral pouched product may alternatively or additionallycontain any other botanical filling material, such as any non-tobaccoplant fibres.

The oral pouched product as disclosed herein may be an oral pouchednon-tobacco snuff product.

The oral pouched product as disclosed herein may be an oral pouchednon-tobacco nicotine-free snuff product comprising a botanical fillingmaterial, such as one or more non-tobacco plant fibers. Examples ofnon-tobacco plant fibers are maize fibers, oat fibers, tomato fibers,barley fibers, rye fibers, sugar beet fibers, buck wheat fibers, potatofibers, apple fibers, cocoa fibers, bamboo fibers and citrus fibers.

The oral pouched product as disclosed herein may be an oral pouchednon-tobacco nicotine-containing snuff product. The filling material maythen be a particulate material comprising nicotine or a salt thereof andone or more fillers, such as polysaccharides (e.g. maltitol andmannitol) and/or microcrystalline cellulose.

An oral pouched smokeless tobacco product generally includes a tobaccocomposition comprising divided (e.g. ground or cut) tobacco material,water, salt (e.g. sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesiumchloride, calcium chloride or any combinations thereof), pH adjuster(e.g. sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassiumcarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or magnesium carbonate)and optionally one or more additional ingredients, such as flavouringagents, cooling agents, heating agents, sweetening agents, colorants,humectants (e.g. glycerol or propylene glycol), antioxidants,preservatives (e.g. as potassium sorbate), binders, fillers, non-tobaccoplant fibers and/or disintegration aids. The smokeless tobaccocomposition may be a moist snuff composition, such as a snuscomposition.

Typically, the amount of tobacco material in the smokeless tobaccocomposition is within the range of from about 50 to about 80% w/w basedon dry weight of the smokeless tobacco composition. The tobacco materialis typically finely divided, such as cut (shredded) or ground tobaccomaterial, in granulated form or in powder form, i.e. tobacco flour, forinstance having an average particle size of about 1 mm to about 2 mm.The tobacco material may be cured (aged) tobacco material.

Salt, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride,calcium chloride and any combinations thereof, is added mainly for itseffect on taste but it also has a preservative action which contributesto improved shelf life of the product. Salt, such as sodium chloridelowers the water activity of the products, thus preventingmicro-organisms from growing. The natural occurrence of sodium chloridein tobacco material is normally below 2% w/w, typically below 1% w/w,based on dry weight of the tobacco material. Normally, the amount ofadded salt in the smokeless tobacco composition is within the range offrom about 0.5 to about 10% w/w based on dry weight of the tobaccocomposition.

pH adjusters, such as sodium carbonate, are added to bring the pH valueto the slightly alkaline side, such as about pH 7.5 to 8.5. Sodiumcarbonate may also be used to give the products their characteristicaroma profile. Typically, the amount of pH adjuster in the smokelesstobacco composition is less than about 7% w/w, such as within the rangeof from 3 to 5% w/w, based on dry weight of the tobacco composition.

Humectants, such as propylene glycol or glycerol, may also be added toprotect the product from drying out and may also have a preservativeeffect since the water activity of the product will be lowered, therebypreventing microorganisms from growing. Normally, the amount ofhumectant in the smokeless tobacco composition is within the range offrom about 5 to about 15% w/w based on dry weight of the tobaccocomposition.

Flavours used are generally natural or nature identical compounds thatcomply with food regulations. Flavours are usually dissolved in ethanolwhen added.

In addition, the smokeless tobacco composition may optionally compriseother botanical filling material, such as any non-tobacco plant fiber.Examples of non-tobacco plant fibers are maize fibers, oat fibers,tomato fibers, barley fibers, rye fibers, sugar beet fibers, buck wheatfibers, potato fibers, apple fibers, cocoa fibers, bamboo fibers andcitrus fibers. The amount of non-tobacco plant fiber material, such asbamboo fibers, in the smokeless tobacco composition may be within therange of from about 1 to about 60% w/w, such as from about 2 to about20% w/w, based on dry weight of the smokeless tobacco composition.

The pouched product as disclosed herein are intended for use in the oralcavity, such as buccal placement (e.g. by placing the pouched productbetween the upper or lower gum and the lip or cheek), and may thereforebe referred to as oral pouched product or portion-packed (pouched)product for oral use. The oral pouched product is sized and configuredto fit comfortably and discreetly in a user's mouth between the upper orlower gum and the lip or cheek.

The oral pouched product as disclosed herein may be a post-moisturizedor non-post-moisturized oral pouched smokeless tobacco product. Themoisture content of the oral pouched smokeless tobacco product asdisclosed herein may be within the range of from 10 to 60% w/w, such aswithin the range of from 15 to 60% w/w or from 20 to 60% w/w or from 30to 60% w/w or from 30 to 55% w/w or from 40 to 55% w/w or from 45 to 55%w/w or from 50 to 55% w/w, based on the total weight of the product.

The oral pouched product as disclosed herein may be anon-post-moisturized oral pouched smokeless tobacco product havingmoisture content within the range of from 30 to 60%, such as within therange of from 30 to 55% w/w or from 40 to 55% w/w or from 45 to 55% w/wor from 50 to 55% w/w or from 50 to 53% w/w, based on the total weightof the product.

In particular, the oral pouched product as disclosed herein may be anon-post-moisturized oral pouched smokeless tobacco product havingmoisture content within the range of 45 to 55% w/w, based on the totalweight of the product. In such case, the dry weight of the oral pouchedsmokeless tobacco product may be within the range of from 0.14 g to 0.4g.

The maximum width (W) of the oral pouched product as disclosed herein iswithin the range of from 3 mm to 10 mm, such as within the range of from3 mm to 9.5 mm or from 3 mm to 9 mm or from 5 mm to 9 mm or from 7 mm to9 mm.

Thus, the maximum width (W) of the oral pouched product as disclosedherein may be less than 10 mm, such as within the range of from 3 mm to9.5 mm or from 5 mm to 9.5 mm or 7 mm to 9.5 mm.

The ratio of maximum length to maximum width (L/W) of the oral pouchedproduct as disclosed herein is within the range of from 3 to 6, such aswithin the range of from 3 to 5 or from 3.5 to 4.5.

The maximum length (L) of the oral pouched product as disclosed hereinis within the range of from 25 mm to 40 mm.

The oral pouched product as disclosed herein may have a maximum lengthwithin the range of from 25 mm to 40 mm and a maximum width within therange of from 5 mm to 9.5 mm as long as the ratio of maximum length tomaximum width is within the range of from 3 to 6.

The oral pouched product as disclosed herein has a rectangular shape.

FIG. 1a illustrates how the maximum width (W) and the maximum length (L)of the product are measured.

FIG. 1b illustrates how the thickness (T) of the product is measured.The thickness is measured as the height of the product (in anon-compressed state) at the centre of the maximum length of theproduct, i.e. at half the maximum length of the product. The centre ofthe maximum length of the product is herein referred to as the waist ofthe product. The thickness of the product is herein therefore alsoreferred to as “thickness at waist” of the oral pouched product.

The thickness (T) at half the maximum length of the oral pouched productas disclosed herein may be within the range of from 2 to 8 mm, such aswithin the range of from 3 to 7 mm or from 4 to 6 mm.

The total weight of the oral pouched product (including filling materialand pouch) is within the range of from 0.3 g to 0.7 g.

The dry weight of the oral pouched product (including filling materialand pouch) may be within the range of from 0.2 g to 0.4 g. The dryweight of the oral pouched product is the total weight of the oralpouched product excluding the moisture content of the oral pouchedproduct.

The ratio between length circumference and transverse waistcircumference (LC-to-TWC ratio), as defined in Example 1 hereinafter, ofthe pouch of the oral pouched product as disclosed herein may be withinthe range of from 3 to 6.

The thickness at waist and the width at waist of the oral pouchedproduct as disclosed herein may be substantially the same. Thus, thewidth at waist of the oral pouched product as disclosed herein may bewithin the range of from 2 to 8 mm, such as within the range of from 3to 7 mm or from 4 to 6 mm.

In particular, the thickness of the product at half the maximum lengthof the product may be within the range of from 4 mm to 6 mm and thewidth at half the maximum length of the product may be within the rangeof from 4 mm to 6 mm. The ratio between the maximum length (L) of theproduct and the width at the waist of the oral pouched product asdisclosed herein may be within the range of from 5 to 12.

The pouch of the oral pouched product may be made of any suitablesaliva-permeable (and preferably non-dissolvable) pouch material, suchas non-woven, woven or knitted materials made from fibers of cellulose(e.g. cotton), regenerated cellulose (e.g. viscose) or syntheticpolymers (e.g. aliphatic polyesters or aliphatic polyamides).

The pouch material may be a nonwoven material of viscose (rayon staplefibres).

The pouch material may comprise additional ingredients, such asflavouring agents and/or colorants.

As used herein, the term “seam” refers to those parts of the pouchmaterial which are brought into contact with one another in order toform the pouch. The seam further comprises a seal. The seal may benarrower in width than the seam. Alternatively, the entire width of theseam contains the seal (i.e. the seam and seal have the same width).

The longitudinal seam/seals of the pouch may be a lap seam/seal, a finseam/seal or a combined lap-and-fin seam/seal.

The longitudinal seal, such as longitudinal fin seal, may be narrower inwidth than the longitudinal seam.

Alternatively, the width of the longitudinal seal, such as longitudinalfin seal, may correspond in width to the width of the longitudinal seam.

Still alternatively, the pouch material may be formed in tubularconfiguration such that a longitudinal seam/seal is not necessary. Insuch case, the pouch of the oral pouched product as disclosed herein mayinclude at least one transverse seam/seal.

The longitudinal seam/seal of the pouch may be a symmetrically placedseam/seal or an asymmetrically placed seam/seal.

A lap seam/seal is formed by bringing an outer surface portion of thepouch material and an inner surface portion of the pouch material into asuperposed relation. A lap seal is illustrated in FIG. 2 a.

A fin seam/seal is formed by bringing inner surface portions of thepouch material into a superposed relation. A fin seal is illustrated inFIG. 2 b.

A combined lap-and-fin seam/seal is formed by first bringing innersurface portions of the pouch material into a superposed relation,optionally sealing to form a fin seal, and then lap sealing the finseam/seal to an outer surface portion of the pouch material. A combinedlap-and-fin seal is illustrated in FIG. 2 c.

In this context, “inner surface” of the pouch material refers to thesurface of the pouch material that will form the interior of the finalpouch, i.e. the side of the pouch material that will face the fillingmaterial enclosed in the pouch. “Outer surface” of the pouch materialrefers to the surface of the pouch material that will form the exteriorof the final pouch.

For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c show seals held togetherby adhesive illustrated by the dashed regions. If any one of these sealsinstead is created by, for instance heat melt-welding or ultrasonicwelding, portions of the pouch material will form a solid-state weld(i.e. no dashed region exists).

The transverse seams/seals of the pouch may be fin seams/seals.

Each of the transverse fin seals may correspond in width to the width ofthe respective transverse fin seam.

Fin seals may have a higher strength than lap seals.

The seals may be provided by any known suitable sealing method, such asby sewing, by applying an adhesive and/or by using a welding methodselected from the groups consisting of heat melt-welding (heat andpressure), high frequency welding (high frequency electromagnetic wavesand pressure) and ultrasonic welding (high frequency ultrasonic acousticvibrations, such as about 15 kHz to 70 kHz, and pressure).

When a welding method is used, a binder may be used in the pouchmaterial to facilitate sealing of the material. The binder may be anysuitable adhesive material, and suitable binders will be known to theskilled person. For example, thermoplastic binders based onpolyacrylates can be used as suitable polymer binders. Viscose nonwovenincluding an acrylic polymer is normally used for pouched smokelesstobacco products.

Heat melt-welding is commonly used today in the production of oralpouched smokeless tobacco products and this method may be used to createthe transverse seal(s) and/or the longitudinal seal, if present, of theoral pouched product as disclosed herein. Fin seals created by heatmelt-welding may be within the range of from about 2 mm to about 5 mm inwidth. This means that fin seams comprising fin seals created by heatmelt-welding may be within the range of from about 2 mm to about 5 mm inwidth.

Ultrasonic welding may be used to generate seals that are narrower inwidth (smaller) and more precise. Such seals are therefore tidier, morevisually appealing and more discrete. They may also be more comfortablein the mouth of the user. Narrower seams/seals have the furtheradvantage that the amount of pouch material required is reduced. Finseals created by ultrasonic welding may be within the range of fromabout 0.1 mm to about 2 mm in width, such as within the range of from0.1 mm to about 1 mm or 0.5 mm to about 1 mm in width. By usingultrasonic welding to create fin seals, the fin seams may be within therange of from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm in width, such as from about0.5 mm to 1 mm in width.

Ultrasonic welding may be used to create the transverse seal(s) and/orthe longitudinal seal, if present, of the oral pouched product asdisclosed herein. In such case, the transverse seams(s) and/or thelongitudinal seam, if present, may be within the range of from about 0.5mm to about 2 mm in width, such as within the range of from 0.5 mm to 1mm in width.

Alternatively, heat melt-welding may be used to create the transverseseal(s) and ultrasonic welding may be used to create the longitudinalseal of the oral pouched product as disclosed herein. In such case, thetransverse seams(s) may be within the range of from about 2 mm to about5 mm in width and the longitudinal seam may be within the range of fromabout 0.5 mm to about 2 mm in width, such as from about 0.5 mm to 1 mmin width.

Still alternatively, ultrasonic welding may be used to create thetransverse seal(s) and heat melt-welding may be used to create thelongitudinal seal of the oral pouched product as disclosed herein. Insuch case, the transverse seams(s) may be within the range of from about0.5 mm to about 2 mm in width, such as from about 0.5 mm to 1 mm, andthe longitudinal seam may be within the range of from about 2 mm toabout 5 mm in width.

The oral pouched product, such as an oral pouched smokeless tobaccoproduct, as disclosed herein, may comprise a pouch containing alongitudinal fin seam extending along the length of the product, thelongitudinal fin seam having a width within the range of from 0.5 to 2mm, such as from about 0.5 mm to 1 mm. Ultrasonic welding enables theformation of this narrow longitudinal fin seam.

The oral pouched product, such as an oral pouched smokeless tobaccoproduct, as disclosed herein, may comprise a pouch containing at leastone transverse fin seam extending along the width of the product, the atleast one transverse seam having a width within the range of from 0.5 mmto 2 mm, such as from 0.5 mm to 1 mm. Ultrasonic welding enables theformation of this (these) narrow transverse fin seam(s).

In a specific embodiment of the oral pouched product as disclosedherein, the product has a maximum length of 34±0.5 mm and a maximumwidth of 9±0.5 mm. This product may include transverse fin seams eachone having a width of about 2 to 3 mm. This product may further includea longitudinal fin seam having a width of 2 to 4 mm.

In another specific embodiment of the oral pouched product as disclosedherein, the product has a maximum length of 34±0.5 mm and a maximumwidth of 9±0.5 mm. This product may include transverse fin seams eachone having a width of 2 mm to 3 mm. This product may further include alongitudinal fin seam having a width of 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

In a further specific embodiment of the oral pouched product asdisclosed herein, the product has a maximum length of 29±0.5 mm and amaximum width of 9±0.5 mm. This product may include transverse fin seamseach one having a width of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. This product may furtherinclude a longitudinal fin seam having a width of 2 mm to 4 mm.

In still another specific embodiment of the oral pouched product asdisclosed herein, the product has a maximum length of 29±0.5 mm and amaximum width of 9±0.5 mm. This product may include transverse fin seamseach one having a width of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. This product may furtherinclude a longitudinal fin seam having a width of 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

When making snus according to GothiaTek® standard, which implieshygienic handling of all ingredients and pasteurization of the loadedmaterials thus assuring a final tobacco composition with negligiblelevels of bacteria, the typical main ingredients, besides tobacco, arewater, sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃). Flavoursand humectants (e.g. propylene glycol or glycerol) are also commoningredients and additional food approved additives might be used.

There are normally two major steps in the manufacturing process ofconverting tobacco to a snus composition; a) grinding (or cutting) andsieving and b) snus-processing.

a) Grinding and Sieving

Generally, tobacco flour is produced by batch grinding. Compressedtobacco is emptied from its cases and torn to large fragments which arecut to pieces. The cut tobacco pieces are dried and transported to amill. The tobacco is ground and ground tobacco particles are sieved andseparated into fractions. Too large particles may be brought back to themill for re-grinding. The cutting, grinding and sieving is done inequipment where foreign objects such as fragments of metallic materialand stones are separated and removed from the tobacco. A number ofapproved fractions are weighed in separate fractions scales. The weighedtobacco flour fractions are collected to pre-set quantities in acontainer and blended by circulation. The blended tobacco flour isstored in a container. Different types of tobacco flours are kept inseparate containers.

b) Snus-processing

The snus mixture (herein referred to as smokeless tobacco composition)is produced by batch processing and should be carried out in a closedsystem to minimize the risk of contamination from bacteria or foreignsubstances. Since automatic feeding of tobacco and the other ingredientsis preferred, the whole process may be computer controlled and can berun day and night, all week around.

The process normally starts with loading of tobacco material in powderform (tobacco flour), water, sodium chloride (NaCl) and possiblyadditional additives, into a cylindrical blender. Loading is done whilestirring. The loaded materials are mixed to a homogeneous blend, whichis heated by injection of steam. The blend is then kept heated forseveral hours with support of steam to ensure reduction of the naturalbacterial flora in the tobacco and to bring texture, taste and color tothe snus blend. Time, temperature and frequency of stirring during heattreatment, parameters specified for different snus blend qualities, arepreferably controlled by a process computer program. After heattreatment, the blend is normally chilled by flow of cold water throughthe blender jacket during stirring. Water, flavours, pH adjuster, suchas sodium carbonate, and possibly additional additives may then be addedto the chilled blend. The blend is finally mixed to a homogeneous snuscomposition.

The oral pouched (i.e. portion-packed) products, such as oral pouchedsmokeless tobacco products, as disclosed herein, may be positionedrandomly in a container or in a pattern, as described in WO 2012/069505.Alternatively or additionally, each oral pouched (i.e. portion-packed)product may be placed in a sachet.

The invention will now be illustrated by means of the followingnon-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A smokeless tobacco composition, having a moisture content of about 56%w/w, suitable for pouch packing using the herein referenced NYPStechnology was produced in accordance with the above disclosedGothiaTek® standard.

The tobacco composition was packed in pouches using a pouch packermachine in accordance with the herein referenced NYPS technology.

Pouched snus products with three different sizes, as outlined in Table1, were produced. The maximum length (L) of the pouch, i.e. the maximumlength of the product, was measured along the direction from the firstouter side end to the second outer side end of the pouch as shown inFIG. 1. The maximum width (W) of the pouch, i.e. the maximum width ofthe product, was measured in a direction perpendicular to the lengthdirection as shown in FIG. 1.

The thickness of the pouched product (in Table 1 referred to asthickness at waist) was about 5±0.5 mm for Example 1, Ref. 1 and Ref. 2.

The target weight per pouched product (i.e. the total weight of pouchand snus) is also shown in Table 1.

The pouched snus products according to Example 1, Ref. 1 and Ref. 2 werenon-post-moisturized.

TABLE 1 Example 1 Ref. 1 Ref. 2 Target weight per 0.5 ± 0.2 0.5 ± 0.20.9 ± 0.2 pouched product [g] Total moisture 52 ± 1  52 ± 1  52 ± 1 content of pouched product (% w/w) Maximum length of 34 27 34 product[mm] Maximum width of 9 14 18 product [mm] Ratio of maximum 3.8 1.9 1.9length to maximum width Thickness at waist ~5 ~4.5 ~5.5 [mm] Width atwaist ~5 ~12 ~15 [mm] Transverse waist 21 30 38 circumference (TWC) [mm]Longitudinal 62 43 57 circumference (LC) [mm] LC-to-TWC ratio 3.0 1.41.5 Width of each ~3 ~3 ~3 transverse seam [mm]

Each pouched product was weighed and the weight was recorded.

The target weight per pouched product is the total weight of the product(i.e. including filling material and pouch).

The moisture content of Table 1 is the average value of 3 to 4measurements of about 3±0.5 g of the respective oral pouched smokelesstobacco products.

The maximum length and maximum width of the product were measured asillustrated in FIG. 1 a.

The approximate “thickness at waist” (generally referred to as thethickness of the product) was measured for each product as the height ofthe product, in a non-compressed state, at the centre of the maximumlength of the product as illustrated in FIG. 1 b. The centre of themaximum length of the product is herein referred to as the waist of theproduct.

The approximate “width at waist” was measured in a directionperpendicular to the direction in which “thickness at waist” wasmeasured.

The transverse waist circumference (TWC) of the pouch was measured bycutting the product 1 around the waist of the product, such as along thetwo dotted lines shown in FIG. 3a . The thereby provided continuousannular piece of the pouch was cut open and the length of the resultingrectangular piece of pouch material was measured. This length is hereinreferred to as the transverse waist circumference of the pouch.

The longitudinal circumference (LC) of the pouch was measured by cuttingthe product 1 along the length of the product, such as along the twodotted lines shown in FIG. 3b . The thereby provided continuous annularpiece of the pouch was cut open between the transverse seams and thelength of the resulting rectangular piece of pouch material wasmeasured. This length, which thus excludes the width of the twotransverse seams 2, is herein referred to as the longitudinalcircumference of the pouch.

The LC-to-TWC ratio of the product according to Example 1 was about 3.0.

The thickness at waist and the width at waist of the product accordingto Example 1 was substantially the same; about 5 mm.

Example 1a Sensory Characteristics

Each individual of a panel of 12 individuals were provided with 4pouched snus products of Example 1, 4 pouched snus products of Ref. 1and 4 pouched snus products of Ref. 2. The format of Ref. 1 is, whensold commercially, referred to as “mini”. The format of Ref. 2 is, whensold commercially, referred to as “large”.

Each pouched snus product was provided in a 14 ml Falcon test tube witha removable sealing cap.

For each type of product, the individuals were instructed to put a snusproduct in the mouth between the upper lip and gum and keep it there for5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes, respectively, which represent typical snususage periods.

After use thereof, the 12 individuals were asked to evaluate the overallexperience of the different groups of pouched snus products by rating,on a scale from 1-5, where 1 is the lowest ranking and 5 is the highestranking, whether the products were (i) comfort, (ii) stayed in place,(iii) discreet, and (iv) runny. It should be noted that with regard torunniness, ranking 5 corresponds to a low degree of experiencedrunniness while ranking 1 corresponds to a high degree of experiencedrunniness.

The results (median values) are presented in FIG. 4. These resultsclearly show that the users found the oral pouched snus product ofExample 1 better than the reference products in view of comfort anddiscreetness upon use thereof. The users also experienced that theproduct of Example 1 stayed better in place in the mouth as compared tothe reference products. However, the users did not experience anyincreased runniness while using the product of Example 1, which isconsidered to be advantageous.

As shown by this experiment, the non-post-moisturized pouched snusproduct of Example 1, having a moisture content of about 51-53% w/wbased on the total weight of the product, was found to fit comfortablyand discreetly in the user's mouth and stayed in place in the mouth uponuse thereof while still avoiding the feeling of runniness.

Example 1b Sensory Characteristics

57 snus users normally using pouched snus products having the so-called“slim” format were provided with a can of 24 pouched snus products inaccordance with Example 1 to compare with their regular “slim” product.

Data for “slim” products sold by Swedish Match North Europe under thebrand name “The LaB Series”, such as “The LaB 02” (Ref. 3a), “The LaB 03Slim White” (Ref. 3b) and “The LaB 22” (Ref 3c), are provided in Table2. The product “The LaB 02” is post-moisturized and the products “TheLaB 03 Slim White” and “The LaB 22” are non-post-moisturized.

FIG. 5 illustrates the maximum length (35 mm) and the maximum width (14mm) of the commercially available pouched snus product “LaB 02” (Ref.3a) having a product weight of 0.9 g.

FIG. 6 illustrates the maximum length (37 mm) and the maximum width (13mm) of another commercially available pouched snus product called “CamelFrost” having a product weight 0.6 g.

TABLE 2 Example 1 Ref. 3a Ref. 3b Ref. 3c Target weight per 0.5 ± 0.20.9 ± 0.2 0.9 ± 0.2 0.7 ± 0.2 pouched product [g] Total moisture 52 ± 1 ~46.5 ~50.5 ~27.5 content of pouched product (% w/w) Maximum length of34 35 34 35 product [mm] Maximum 9 14 product [mm] Ratio of maximum 3.82.5 2.4 2.5 length to maximum width

Each individual had to consider the following statements:

-   -   a) The product has a good fit under the lip.    -   b) The product feels comfortable.    -   The answers for the individuals to choose from were:    -   1. Applies much more on my normal format (i.e. the “slim”        format)    -   2. Applies somewhat more on my normal format (i.e. the “slim”        format)    -   3. No difference between my regular format (i.e. the “slim”        format) and the new format (i.e. Example 1)    -   4. Applies somewhat more on the new format (i.e. Example 1)    -   5. Applies much more on the new format (i.e. Example 1)

67% of the individuals responded that statements a) and b) appliedsomewhat more (i.e. alternative 4) or much more (i.e. alternative 5) onthe new format in accordance with Example 1. Thus, a majority of theindividuals experienced that the oral pouched snuff product as disclosedherein had a better fit under the lip and was more comfortable than anoral pouched snuff product having the “slim format”, such as Ref. 3a-c.

Example 2 Sensory Characteristics

Each individual of a panel, 11 panelists the first day and 12 paneliststhe second day, was provided with two different types of pouched snusproducts in two replicates on two days in a row.

The reference product (called Ref. 4) was the commercially availableproduct called “G.3 White XSTR PSWS” (Slim White Portion, 0.9 g, 1.8%nicotine, 46.5% water).

Oral pouched snus products (called Example 2) having the same format asin Example 1 and containing the same snus composition as in thereference product were produced.

For each type of product, the panelists were instructed to put a snusproduct in the mouth under the upper lip and keep it there for 10minutes, with a pause of a couple of minutes in between the two testedproducts.

Each panelist was thereafter asked to rank which type of product thatprovided the highest perceived nicotine delivery.

In total, there were 23 answers from the test. The test was evaluated asa paired difference test. The results are presented in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Ref. 4 Example 2 Target weight per 0.9 ± 0.2 0.5 ± 0.2 pouchedproduct [g] Nicotine per portion 16 9 (mg) Total moisture ~46.5 ~46.0%content of pouched product (% w/w) Maximum length of 34 34 product [mm]Maximum width of 14 9 product [mm] Ratio of maximum 2.4 3.8 length tomaximum width Perceived delivery of 10 13 nicotine

10 answers stated that the product of Ref. 4 provided a higher perceivednicotine delivery than the product of Example 2.

13 answers stated that the product of Example 2 provided a higherperceived nicotine delivery than the product of Ref. 4.

Thus, despite the smaller format and less weight of the product inaccordance with Example 2, the result of the test showed that even moreindividuals perceived the nicotine delivery as higher from the productof Example 1 despite the lower nicotine content of the product ofExample 2 compared to the reference product. This result was unexpectedsince the amount of nicotine (9 mg) in the product of Example 2 waslower than the 10 amount of nicotine (16 mg) in the product of Ref. 4.

1. An oral pouched product comprising a filling material and asaliva-permeable pouch enclosing the filling material, the producthaving a rectangular shape with a maximum length and a maximum width,wherein the maximum width of the product is within the range of from 3mm to 10 mm, the maximum length of the product is within the range offrom 25 mm to 40 mm, the ratio of maximum length to maximum width iswithin the range of from 3 to 6, and the oral pouched product has aweight within the range of from 0.3 g to 0.7 g.
 2. The oral pouchedproduct according to claim 1, wherein the maximum width of the productis within the range of from 3 mm to 9.5 mm, within the range of from 5mm to 9.5 mm or within the range of from 7 mm to 9.5 mm.
 3. The oralpouched product according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of maximumlength to maximum width is within the range of from 3 to
 5. 4. The oralpouched product according to claim 1, wherein the product has athickness in a direction perpendicular to the width of the product, saidthickness being within the range of from 2 to 8 mm, within the range offrom 3 to 7 mm or within the range of from 4 to 6 mm.
 5. The oralpouched product according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of theproduct at half the maximum length of the product is within the range offrom 4 to 6 mm.
 6. The oral pouched product according to claim 5,wherein the product has a width at half the maximum length of theproduct, said width at half the maximum length of the product beingwithin the range of from 4 to 6 mm.
 7. The oral pouched productaccording to claim 1, wherein the oral pouched product has a dry weightwithin the range of from 0.2 g to 0.4 g.
 8. The oral pouched productaccording to claim 1, wherein the oral pouched product is an oralpouched smokeless tobacco product and the filling material comprisestobacco or moist tobacco snuff.
 9. The oral pouched product according toclaim 8, wherein the oral pouched smokeless tobacco product has amoisture content within the range of 10 to 60% w/w, or within the rangeof from 20 to 58% w/w, based on the total weight of the pouched product.10. The oral pouched product according to claim 9, wherein the oralpouched smokeless tobacco product is non-post-moisturized.
 11. The oralpouched product according to claim 10, wherein the oral pouchedsmokeless tobacco product has a moisture content within the range offrom 45 to 55% w/w, or within the range of from 50 to 53% w/w, based onthe total weight of the product.
 12. The oral pouched product accordingto any one of claim 1, wherein the oral pouched product is an oralpouched non-tobacco nicotine-free snuff product and the filling materialcomprises one or more non-tobacco plant fibers, or oat fibers.
 13. Theoral pouched product according to claim 1, wherein the oral pouchedproduct is an oral pouched non-tobacco nicotine-containing snuff productand the filling material comprises nicotine or a salt thereof and one ormore particulate fillers, or microcrystalline cellulose.
 14. The oralpouched product according to claim 1, wherein the pouch contains alongitudinal fin seam extending along the length of the product, saidlongitudinal fin seam having a width within the range of from 0.5 mm to2 mm, or from 0.5 mm to 1 mm.
 15. The oral pouched product according toclaim 1, wherein the pouch contains at least one transverse fin seamextending along the width of the product, said at least one transversefin seam having a width within the range of from 0.5 mm to 2mm, or from0.5 mm to 1 mm.